Tim GuffeyJackson County, Ala.’s five-man governing body this week formed nine committees to work with county department heads, employees and residents to improve efficiency and tackle issues.
Committees — a first for the county, at least in recent years — consist of two commissioners and a department head who will keep the rest of the five-man panel informed on money matters and operations, Commission Chairman Matthew Hodges said.
“The budget is one place where we’ll really see a difference with the committee system,” Hodges predicted. “[Commissioners] will have a better understanding about the departments and how they operate.”
Committees are established for administration, public safety, industrial development, sanitation, public works, education, the fire department, sheriff’s department and recreation.
The Jackson County Commission is organized as a unit system of government rather than a district system, meaning commissioners are nominated from each of the county’s four districts but are chosen in a countywide election, according to officials and the County Commission website.